Charges against Zdravko Tolimir Released to the Public

Press Release

REGISTRY

(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)

The Hague, 25 February 2005CVO/P.I.S./939e

Charges against Zdravko Tolimir Released to the Public

Today, 25 February 2005, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia released the detailed charges against Zdravko Tolimir. The indictment, which also charges Milan Gvero and Radivoje Miletic, was confirmed on 10 February 2005, by Judge Liu.

The indictment states that during the time period relevant to the events described in the indictment, Zdravko Tolimir was the Assistant Commander for Intelligence and Security of the Main Staff of the VRS. In this position, Zdravko Tolimir was one of seven Assistant Commanders who reported directly to the Commander of the Main Staff, General Ratko Mladic.

As Assistant Commander for Intelligence and Security, Zdravko Tolimir had knowledge of the plan to force the Muslim population from the Srebrenica and Zepa enclaves and was involved in the execution of that plan, as set forth in this indictment.

According to the indictment, Zdravko Tolimir is individually criminally responsible for the acts or omissions of his subordinates, pursuant to Article 7(1) of the Tribunal’s Statute. This means that he committed, planned, instigated, ordered, and otherwise aided and abetted in the planning, preparation, and execution of the crimes charged. Zdravko Tolimir is charged with the following counts as set forth in the indictment:

four counts of crimes against humanity (Article 5 – murder; persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds; other inhumane acts (forcible transfer); deportation), and one count of violations of the laws or customs of war (Article 3 – murder).

The full text of the indictment will be available on the Tribunal’s website in due course http://www.un.org/icty.
Hard copies can also be obtained from the Media Office.